• Please review our updated Terms and Rules here

AT to XT Keyboard Converter

Hi! Hargle is on vacation right now so he is not available to order prototype PCBs.

I am/was presuming that Hargle is lead on this project similar to the XT-IDE project. However that may not be true. Either way, we could order some prototype PCBs if people were willing and someone willing to pony up the cash for a short run of PCBs.

The initial software is ready as is the hardware design. If someone would like to volunteer to order a batch of prototype PCBs, I will further volunteer to distribute along with N8VEM boards I am already doing. Chuck and Hargle have already built prototypes so I am confident the underlying principles are sound. The design still needs verification though.

I recommend we full up PCB manufacturing run and that will cost $30 for tooling plus shipping, I am guessing $35? for a total of about $100 to get 25 units. The unit cost is $1.35 each but after spreading tooling and shipping its closer to $4 each for the PCBs.

Presumably we could also do a prototype shop like batchPCB.com for a limited run. I don't know the prices for them so if someone wants to do a trial comparison that would be helpful. Specify 25 PCBs so we have an "apples to apples" comparison on price and risk.

Obviously, ad hoswhipped up designs like this entail a certain degree of risk. There are no assurances that this will work and there may be problems with the arrangement. However if someone is interested in getting involved this would be a great opportunity.

Thanks and have a nice day!

Andrew Lynch
 
Hi Andrew,

Whatever happened to the idea of simply adding the keyboard converter to the IDE PCB and having it perfed off? Did that fall by the wayside?
 
Chuck(G) said:
Have you looked at all the postings on this topic? As we speak, the converter is going to PCB, courtesty of Hargle and Andrew Lynch.

The switchable keyboards have code to generate either in their controller firmware. On a relatively modern keyboard, it's not practical to change firmware.

However, for less than $5 in parts, you can perform the conversion. Read the rest of the thread.
Click to expand...

Sorry for some reasons I miss those threads, interesting project. Like to see how it works.

Dougtronics
 
Chuck(G) said:
Hi Andrew,

Whatever happened to the idea of simply adding the keyboard converter to the IDE PCB and having it perfed off? Did that fall by the wayside?
Click to expand...

Hi Chuck! Thanks! I think the combo PCB idea worked when both PCBs were similar construction but now that they are different types (2 vs 1 sided PCBs) that gets really clunky. Personally, I would prefer separate boards as that will also reduce the post delivery rework like using the Dremel tool to cut them up.

Also the cost of the AT2XTPCB keyboard PCB is really low ($100 for 25 units) there is not much savings there for the extra labor. However if Hargle is still a go for it, I'll take a look at combination PCB. It will require a respin of the PCB and that is the really big issue since that takes ~3 weeks or so.

Thanks and have a nice day!

Andrew Lynch
 
hey all.

back from vacation now, so let's get this project underway. I mean heck, XTIDE is only taking up 85% of my free time, so let's get this bugger taking up the remainder! :)

I think if the schematic and design have been given the go from the hardware folks, all I need is a drop of the files for ordering it from andrew + my visa card, and we'll press the button to get them ordered. I think I'd rather not wait 3 weeks for a redesign on getting these mushed into the next order of XTIDE cards. Let's just bite the bullet and keep them separate. It appears that I'm still employed for the long term, so I can absorb some costs.
 
Hi Hargle! Thanks for the reminder! I hope you enjoyed your vacation!

I meant to send you an update on all the files last night but got wrapped up in some N8VEM stuff and it got too late. I am taking a note home with me to make sure I send you the latest Gerber files for making an order.

Also, I did some quick estimates and I think you'll be happy with the PCB manufacturing costs of the AT2XTKBD. They are much less than you'd expect based on our XT-IDE experiences.

Thanks and have a nice day!

Andrew Lynch
 
Nice. I'll order 25 of them. That's at least 2x the number of pre sales inquiries that I got, but whatever. they're not going to take up much room in my closet if I'm holding onto them all.

Should we try and kick off XTIDE at the same time? I may be able to save some shipping costs. Likewise on some more n8vem boards, as you mentioned you wanted to order some of those too. Let me know (probably offline)

You will likely have to give me all the details for plugging into the price quote generator as well, assuming we're going to use PCBcart.com again.
 
Should we try and kick off XTIDE at the same time? I may be able to save some shipping costs. Likewise on some more n8vem boards, as you mentioned you wanted to order some of those too. Let me know (probably offline)
Click to expand...

That seems a good idea, I intend to purchase one of each and buying them together would be appropriate.
 
I've got a price quote for 25 of these little beasties, combined shipping with the XTIDE controller that I'm also ordering. It appears that the PCB is coming in at just about 4 bucks each. (shipping is almost 1/3 of the cost) I will be hitting the order button in about 6 hours.

I started pricing parts for it awhile ago, and I think it was under 3 or something, especially if I buy 25 of them at a time.

So, figure 10 bucks for the thing just to be safe.
 
ok gang (chuck and andrew, I'm looking at you!)

PCBs are on order, should be here soon.

I'm putting together an order of parts from digikey, since that's where the keyboard connector diagrams came from. here's what I have picked out, but I just want to make sure that I'm getting the right stuff.

the resistors and jumper pin headers I can obtain from work, but here are the other parts that I've pulled:

2 x http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=CP-2350-ND
1 x http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=CP-2250-ND
1 x http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=PIC12F629-I/P-ND
1 x http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=P902-ND
1 x http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=1N4148DITR-ND

can you please check these?
thanks!

I also need to verify that I can program those PICs. I think I've got the correct burner at work; never dealt with them before though.
 
The active components look fine, but I'll leave the connectors to Andrew to check out.

I do my PIC programming with a JDM programmer that hooks to a PC's serial port. It works well and is insanely cheap, but be advised that finding the right programming software can be a bit of a challenge as it works better with some packages than with others.

A later USB version might be better for general-purpose use and doesn't cost much more than the JDM version. eBay has a ton of both types always listed.
 
hargle said:
ok gang (chuck and andrew, I'm looking at you!)

PCBs are on order, should be here soon.

I'm putting together an order of parts from digikey, since that's where the keyboard connector diagrams came from. here's what I have picked out, but I just want to make sure that I'm getting the right stuff.

the resistors and jumper pin headers I can obtain from work, but here are the other parts that I've pulled:

2 x http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=CP-2350-ND
1 x http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=CP-2250-ND
1 x http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=PIC12F629-I/P-ND
1 x http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=P902-ND
1 x http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=1N4148DITR-ND

can you please check these?
thanks!

I also need to verify that I can program those PICs. I think I've got the correct burner at work; never dealt with them before though.
Click to expand...

Hi! I checked the components and they appear fine but I want to double check this against the drawings tonight. They look right but it never hurts to check again.

I don't think there is a problem but if there is one the fall back plan is to use pigtails as a work around. I don't see that happening though.

Thanks and have a nice day!

Andrew Lynch
 
Lorne said:
Did you see the minimum order quantity for the:

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/Dk...=1N4148DITR-ND

How many of these things were you guys planning on making?

(I already hate those minimum quantity things, but having to buy 10,000 of something is ridiculous).
Click to expand...

Your link gives a dead end. this link to the 1n4148 in a DO-35 package may be more realistic. Still, in quantity 1,000, the unit cost is less than a penny. That's pretty remarkable for a semiconductor.

Better hurry, though--they only have about 150,000 on hand... :)
 
I spent a little time with the code and cleaned up the host-to-keyboard timing a bit so it works reliably with the LEDs on the "clone" AT (not PS/2) keyboards that I have here (mostly Cherry and Keytronics).

Herewith attached is version 0.92 of the firmware.
 

Attachments

  • XTATK092.ZIP
    11.8 KB · Views: 8
I built up the first PCB last night. All the parts fit; looks like it's going to work really well. Unfortunately, the 1 programmer I tried at work does not have support for the PIC, so I need to dig out the other one, and see if there's support for it.

If that fails, that will derail this project for a little while, until I get my hands on a programmer, or we plead with chuck to spend an evening at his, doing up all 25 parts for us. Stay tuned.
 
hargle said:
I built up the first PCB last night. All the parts fit; looks like it's going to work really well. Unfortunately, the 1 programmer I tried at work does not have support for the PIC, so I need to dig out the other one, and see if there's support for it.

If that fails, that will derail this project for a little while, until I get my hands on a programmer, or we plead with chuck to spend an evening at his, doing up all 25 parts for us. Stay tuned.
Click to expand...

Hi Hargle! Thanks! That's a relief that the parts fit! Thank goodness for small miracles!

I can program the PICs if needed. Unfortunately, these parts are not reprogrammable in circuit but I doubt that's much of a problem.

Thanks and have a nice day!

Andrew Lynch
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top